SPORTS editor Mark Hemmings swapped reporting on football and interviewing Hertfordshire sportspeople one Saturday afternoon to attend The Baby Show. Here he reveals how he got on.
AS a soon to be first time father, the thought of accompanying my wife to the NEC Birmingham to The Baby Show was rather daunting.
Looking at cots, pushchairs and infants’ clothes online was one thing, but joining the hoards and facing the reality of our imminent arrival was another.
After our drive up the motorway we hit queues going into the NEC for the popular show.
I was a little confused to see the car ahead loaded with a group burly blokes, I could not imagine them bustling their way around the baby show stalls.
We then passed a poster advertising ‘The Body Power Expo’ for bodybuilders being held the same weekend and that question was answered.
On arrival at the venue we entered the exhibition hall and saw before us the expected sea of stalls, fellow expectant couples and tiny tots.
Big guns in the world of retail had set up camp with Babies R Us, Asda, Fisher-Price, Tommee Tippee and Mothercare all present with special show only offers available.
During the day a variety of experts took to The Baby Show Stage discussing such subjects as lifesaving tips from the British Red Cross, maternity fashion and nutrition during pregnancy myths and truths.
A particular point of interest for my wife and I was the Joie Pit Stop Café.
We had already bought one of their pushchairs, so had to the chance to try out a similar version over various surface types on their purpose built test track.
One of the reasons folk head to such events is for bargains and even to land a freebie or two.
We managed to pick-up samples from Pampers, feeding bottles, bibs, toys and body oils as we made our way around the exhibition hall.
One top tip is to look at the event’s website (www.thebabyshow.co.uk) before going to print off vouchers or to see offers, for example some stalls had offered gifts for the first 100 customers.
The day was tiring, but educational.
We ticked off a few items from our ‘must get’ list and got further ideas of bits to add to it in order to be ready for our little one.
The Baby Show is next being held in London at Olympia Kensington in October.
Visit www.thebabyshow.co.uk for details.
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